Bossa Nova Stories

Eliane Elias is the perfect candidate to celebrate 50 years of bossa nova â she sings with a seductive samba lilt and plays pitch-perfect jazz piano. Joined here by a full orchestra in a nod to Jobim's priceless meeting with Sinatra, she wisely mixes tracks from the bossa nova cannon (yes, "Girl From Ipanema" and "Desafinado" are here) with American standards that Gilberto and Jobim studied. Harmonica guru Toots Thielesman lends support, as does vocalist Ivan Lins, but Elias keeps the spotlight on her country's greatest contribution to popular music and jazz.